Automatic range-finding sight for cannon.



, No, 706,767. Patented Alig. I2, I902.

V I, u. LEWIS. 7

AUTOMATIC RANGE FINDING SIGHT- FDB CANNON.

(Application filed 0p:- 29,1901.)

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(Applicatioq filed Oct. 22, 1901.

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No. 706,767. Patented Aug. 12, 1902.. u; LEWIS;

AUTOMATIC RANGE rmnms' SIGHT FOB CANNON.

(Application filed. Oct. 22, 1901.)

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No. 706,767. Patented Aug. l2, I902. I. n. LEWIS. A

ANGE FTN DING SIGHT FOB CANNON.

(Application filed Oct. 22, 1901.)

AUTOMATIC R (No Medal.)

6 Sheets-Sheet 4.

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No. 706,767. Patented Aug. I2, I902.

N. LEWIS.

AUTOMATIC RANGE FINDINGSIGHT FOB CANNON.

(Applicgtion filed. Oct. 22, 1901.)

6 Sheets $heot 5.

(No Model.)

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Patented Aug. l2, I902. I. N. LEWIS. Y AUTQM AT IC RANGE FINDING SIGHT FOB CANNON.

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AUTOMATIC RANGE-FINDING SIGHT FOR CANNON.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 706,767, dated August 12, 1902. Application filed October 22. 1901. Serial No. 79,523. (No man.)

To all whom. it may concern:

Be it known that I, ISAAC N. LEWIS, 'a citizen of the United States, and afresident of 1 Washington, in the District of Oolu mbia, have invented certain new and usefnlImprovements in Automatic Range-Finding Sights for Cannon, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an automatic range-finding sight for cannon which operates on the plan of range-finders employing a horizontal base-line. a

The principal object of the invention is to provide a simple instrument which shall serve as an accurate automatic sight in laying the gun on the target. The instrument located at the gun is of such a nature. and construction and so associated with the machinery for the manipulation of the gun that the same. data sent simultaneously to each of the guns of the battery from the outlying station will enable the observer or operator of each gun to immediately lay his gun upon the target without plotting or computing and even without knowing the range of the target. He may, however, after laying the gun upon the target read from a suitable scale upon the instrument the range in yards or other units. Also the apparatus may be used in finding the range of the target and the gun then elevated according to the ascertained range.

Briefly stated, my invitation consists in the -combination,with the training mechanism for a gun, of a horizontal-base range-finder having an adjustable member or members adapted to be set to a position corresponding to the range of the target and connected with the training mechanism in such way that in the act of bringing the adjustable member or members of therange-finding apparatusto' positioneorresponding to thefrange the gun will be automatically sighted upon the target. .For a range-finder element of the combination I prefer toemploy a device such as is described in another application for patentfiled by me. and jcomprising coordinatelyoperating arms or devices, one adapted to be" set or adjusted ahg-u'larly with-reference to the base-line portion of the instrument, according to the transmitted horizontal angle sent from an observing-station, such angle being that made by the direction of thetarany other suitable means.

' get from the observing-station with the horizontal base-line joining such station, with the gun-station and the other to be adjusted to angular position corresponding to theangle between therbase line and a line joining the gun-station with the target. The mechanism through which the elevation of the gun is changed simultaneously with the adjusting or setting of the range-finder is so plotted or calibrated, as it were, as to vary its speed of transmission or speed-ratio in accordance with the variable elevation required for different ranges, so that when the rangefinder is set to position for any particular range the elevation of the gun will be right for that range.

In the operation of the apparatus the observer at the outlying station by means of a transit or other suitable instrument takes an observation of the target in azimuth and sends to the observer at the gun simply the true azimuth of the target. This information may be sent by telephone, telegraph, or The observer at the gun has then but to direct his gun upon the target and adjust the instrument to the azimuth sent, when the gun will be properly laid and in position for firing. The instrument by a suitable scale thereon will also then show the range of the target.

Inview of the objects and advantages above specified the invention consists in the construction, combination, and association of parts, substantially as hereinafter set forth and claimed. I

In the drawings which accompany this specification and form a part thereof, Figure 1 represents in plan the principal-elements of my impro.ved range-finderforuse in an automatic sight. Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is an end view. Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section taken in the plane indicated by lines 4 4 Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 5 is a vertical central section through a portion of the range-finder on an enlarged scale and taken in the plane indicated by the line 5 5, Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a plan" showing the improved range-finder applied't'o'ia gun-mount, a part only of which is illustrated, in a manner to be operated as an automatic sight. Fig. 7 is aside elevation of the mechanism seen in Fig; 6, a portion thereof being shown in dotted lines and parts being broken away to more clearly illustrate the essential elements of the invention. Fig. 8 is an end View of the mechanism seen in Figs. 6 and 7. Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating the relative positions of the gun and the principal parts of the automatic sight. Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating the application of the invention to a battery of three guns.

The range-finder portion of the apparatus is in its general form similar to a protracting instrument, and is preferably constructed according to the principles of the range-finder described in my other application above referred to. I do not limit myself, however, to this particular form of instrument, but may use as the range-finder element of the combination any other working upon the horizontal-base principle and having its parts so coordinated or combined that they may be set to the observed angles made with the horizontal base-line in the act of training the gun, which is itself operated through mechanism calibrated or adjusted as described to give the right elevation for the corresponding setting of the range-finder.

The preferred range-finding instrument forming one of the elements of my invention comprises the following parts in the form shown or in any other suitable form adapted to realize the geometrical principles involved. These parts are an arm or bar 11 and a sector 12, pivotally related to one another to permit angular adjustment of the bar with relation to the base-line forming the diameter of the sector, an arm 13, pivoted to the center of said sector or of the circle of which the sector-scale forms a part, as at y, and a pin, as 14, or other device having a sliding connection with both the arm or bar 11 and the arm 13 at the intersection ofsaid parts 1 l and l3,as seen atz. The line joining the centers m and y coincides with the line forming the base-line of the instrumentviz., the diameter of the sector 12-and with the lines joining said centers with the point of intersection 2' forms a triangle, the elements of which in miniature correspond to or are the plotted elements of the triangle whose base is the distance between the outlying station 15 and the gunstationsay 16-and whose sides are the distances from said stations, respectively, to the target. This is graphically delineated in Figs. 9 and 10. The parts 11,12, 13, and 14 then serve to plot at the gun the triangle between the stations and the target, and the said parts are so constructed and connected that by setting the arm 13 to form with the front or diameterof thesector 12 the azimuth sent in by the observer at the outlying station and the arm 11 to the angle represeutingthe angle between the base-line and a line joining the gun with the target the line 00 a will represent the range or distance of the target from the latter point. The scale of ranges plotted on the arm 11 would obviously have to be changed if the relation of the stations to one another were changed or the center Y of the sector could in construction be rendered capable of adjustment with respect to the point a; in order to conform to different distances between the stations-namely, the outlying station and the gun-station.

One of the forms of connection that may be used between the range-finder portion of the apparatus and training portion will now be described, reference being especially made to Figs. 1 to 5.

The sector 12 and'arm 11 are pivotally related, as already described, to permit the angular relation of the arm and base-line to be adjusted according to the azimuth of the gun when directed upon the target. When the instrument is mounted as herein described, so that the bar 11 or its support is mounted on a gun-carriage so as to follow the swinging of the gun in azimuth, the adjustment of the angle of said bar to the sector is made byoperating or turning the sector. This may beaccomplished by turninga wormwheel 20 or other wheel attached to the sector or a stud or shaft thereof, as indicated, and by connecting the said wheel toa suitable gear, such that during the turning of the gun and arm 11 in azimuth the sector 12 will be rotated correspondingly to automatically place the bar and sector in angular relation to one another corresponding to the angle made by the line joining the gun and target with the line corresponding to the baseline running from the distant observing-station. This gear, which may be constructed as follows, is operated in any suitable manner according to the changed azimuth position by the means to be described farther on or any other suitable means. With the worm-wheel there meshes a Worm 21 on a horizontal shaft 22, on whose outer end is another worm-wheel 23. The shaft 22 is journaled in bearings in the base-piece 11, and the worm-wheel 23 is incased in a suitable housing 2-.L. With said wheel 23 meshes a worm 25, journaled in housing 24, to which worm rotation may be imparted by shaft 26. Obviously any other means for acting on the sector may be employed. The rear portion of the base-piece or arm 11 has thereon a table 27 underlying the sector and furnishing a support therefor. The sector may be more ciosely held to the table, as by a flanged rib or block attached to the under side and located in an undercut channel in the table, as indicated at 28, Figs. 1, 2, and 4. The arm 13 is pivoted at the center of the sector 12 on a suitable stud or bolt and is formed in two parts, (though it obviously may be in one.) One part thereof serves as the radius for sector 12 and has a window therein through which the scale 29 of the sector may be read. Said scale is graduated in degrees in the usual way. On said arm is also preferably mounted a minute scale, as at 30, which may be actuated from the toothed periphery of the sector 12, as indicated. The second part V of the arm'l'3 extends from the under side of the sector over the guide in base-piece or arm 11 and, as above stated, receives in a groove on its under side the head of pin 14. Any changein the angular relation of either arm to the sector baseline will obviously change the point of intersection of the arms 11 and 13. The angular relation of arm 13 may be changed by any desired mechanism,

but preferably by devices constructed as follows: The arm 11 has a slot extending longitudinally thereof, wherein is located the rotary screw 17. Said slot forms a guide for a nut 18, which is propelled by said screw. By this nut is carried the pin 14, having a head engaged in an undercut groove in the under side of the arm 13. The nut 18 may be moved in any suitable way. For this purpose the rotary screw-shaft 17 is preferred, and this may be rotated by the milled head 31, operated by the hand of the observer when i the apparatus is used as a ran ge-finding sight on the gun or by the pinion 32, connected with the elevating mechanism of the gun when theapparatus is used as an automatic sighter. This pinion is preferably frictionally connected to the screw-shaft, as seen in Fig. 2, the thumb-nut 33serving to bind it i to said shaft or disconnect it therefrom. The

distance of the center .2 of the pin' 14, carried by said nut from the pivotal center '00, being the plotted range, may be indicated by a suitable scale on the base 11, as at 34, or by a tape-scale, as at 35. In the former instance a pointer 36 is carried by the pin 1 4,

Fig. 4, and transverse the scale 34, and in the latter instance the graduated tape has one end attached to an ordinary spring-reel 19, mounted in bearings on the end of base 11 and the other end attached to the nut 18, the readings being takenfrom the tape at the end 37 of the base. The tape-scale as shown is preferred since its readings come directly under the eye of the observer and at close proximity to the two other scales;

This instrument, above described, is attached in any convenient manner to the gunmount, and preferably with the arm 11 and axis of screw 17 parallel to the axis of the gun and the center of rotation at of the sector, v as near as it conveniently can be, to the cen-' ter of rotation of the gun-mount, (indicated at n in Figs. 9 and 10.) "The gearing for rotating the sector is then connected by shaft 38,

Fig. 7, and bevel-gears 39 to the shaft 40, which the gun is traversed in the usual manner, and which traversing mechanism is not, therefore, shown in detail herein. .Attention is also calledto the fact that only so much of the gun-mount as is necessary to illustrate the attachment of the range-finder is shown. By the shaft 40, then, and the gearing connecting it to the range-finder the gun may be directed at the target, and simultaneously therewith the sector rotated to set the same and the arm 11 to the azimuth-angle corresponding to the angle between the base-line or line of orientation and the line joining the gun'and target;

To elevate or depress the gun simultaneously with setting the arm 13 to the azimuth transmitted from station 15, the screw-shaft 17, which carries wheel 32, is geared to the crank-wheel 41, usually employed in elevating or depressing the gun. This is effected through gear 42 in mesh with gear 32 and the bevel-gears 43 on the shaft 44 with gear 42 and the shaft or crank-wheel 41, respectively. The means for elevating or depressing the gun are especially designed for this automatic cooperation of the gun and range finder or automatic sight. There is a worm 45 on the shaft 44 which meshes with a wormwheel 46, Fig. '8, (omitted for clearness from Fig. 7,) on a shaft 47, mounted in a vertically-inclined manner on the gun-mount or on a bracket connected therewith and to which the shoulder-rest 4,8 is attached. On this shaft 47 is removably located a spiral cam 49, the spiral of which is plotted with especial reference to the classof guns with which it is to be used and to the muzzle velocity of the projectile to be discharged by that particular gun with which it is to be used. This plotting is done by setting the gun successively for certain known ranges and with the arm 13 set to the azimuth corresponding to each successive known range. The scale, if one be used, is then graduated accordingly. With this cam a sleeve or traveler 50 is used which has a sliding connection with the gun-cradle 51. connection consists of a slot in the traveler 50, in which is locateda rectangular head of .a stud or pin 52, whichis journaled by its shank in a bracket 53 on the gun-cradle.

Saidsliding 7 The traveler 15 engages the cam by apin of circular cross-section, whichexactly fits in with the groove cutin 49. This pin is shown by the circle in dotted lines appearing midway of the traveler 50, as shown in Fig. 7. The traveler may engage with said cam in any other suitable manner. It will be seen, then, that as the shaft 44 is rotated the nut 18 moves and swings arm 13 and thecam 49 is rotated, thereby causing the cradle 51 to be tilted and the gun elevated or depressed in proportion to, the number of degrees the arm traverses on the sector, whereby when said arm reaches the transmitted azimuth the gun will be correctly laid upon the target,

the proper direction having first been given IIO so would either necessitate mounting the sight with its axis in vertical prolongation of the axis of the gun-mount or the introduction of more or less complicated gearing in connection with the traversing mechanism of the gun. The practical error being fully within the limits of accuracy demanded of such instruments may be neglected.

Means for adjusting the relation of the gun and the sector 12 are provided, Figs. 3 and 5, by forming a loose joint or friction-coupling in shaft 26. This may be done by making the worm 25 on a sleeve and seating the lower end 55 of the sleeve in a cylindrical socket 56. Within this sleeve is a bolt 57, havinga split conical head located in the end 55 of the sleeve, which also is split. The upper end of the sleeve terminates in a knurl provided with retaining-lips, under which rests a flange on a nut 58 on the upper end of the bolt 57. By turning this nut the bolts conical head is reciprocated in the split end of the sleeve, and the latter is tightened in the socket 56 or loosened therefrom, as desired. The instrument and the gun are then brought into proper accord initially by traversing the gun until the axis thereof coincides with the baseline, as may be determined by directing the gun on the distant station. The front edge of the sector or line of orientation, as it may be termed, must then coincide with said line. If it does not, the parts 55 and 56 are loosened and the sector moved into line. This coincidence may be readily proven by rotating the screw 17 and running the nut 18 from end to end of its guide. When the sector and gun are in proper relation, they will remain unmoved while said nut is thus run along its screw. That this must be so may readily be seen by inspecting the diagram in Fig. 9, since the centersac, and 2 will then be in a straight line andthe slot in arm 13 in the same vertical plane as screw 17. When this adjustment has been effected, the parts 55 and 56 of the loose joint in shaft 26 are tightened, and thereafter the sector will maintain the alinement of its front edge upon the distant station when the gun is traversed.

To properly adjust the instrument to the range for which it is intended and for which the cam has been cut, the gun is laid upon a target of known range, and if the scales thereof do not show said range nor the known azimuth of the target then the joint at gear 32 is loosened and the screw 17 rotated by means of knurl 31 until said scales do give the proper readings. Then said joint is tightened and the automatic sight is ready for use. In use the observer at station 15 takes the azimuth of the target and over a signal-circuitfor instance, as indicated at 59he informs the observer at the gun of the azimuth taken. The observer at the gun immediately rotates the shaft 40 and by means of the telescope directs the gun upon the target and then by rotating the wheel 41 he swings the arm 13, elevating or depressing the gun at the same time until the transmitted azimuth is shown at scales 29 and 30. The gun is then properly laid upon the target and, if desired, the range of the target may then be read from scale 35. The guns of a battery and their instrument having been adjusted and set as above specified will be properly laid upon the same target whose azimuth is sent from the common outlying station by sighting each gun at the object and then setting the arm of each instrument to give the transmitted azimuth-reading, the sighting of the gun always keeping the line of the sector on the outlying station and the swinging of the arm to give with said sector the transmitted angle always giving the gun the proper elevation.

The instrument described may as to its parts be variouslyconstructed and mounted, and the means of operation or mechanism maybe changed without departing from this invention.

What I claim as my invention is 1. The combination with a gun, of a horizontal-base range-finder having an adjustable member or members adapted to be set to angles corresponding to the angles at the gun and distant observing-stations respectively, and training mechanism for the gun connected with said adjustable memberor members,

as and for the purpose described.

2. The combination with a gun and the elevating mechanism therefor, of a horizontalbase range-finder having its adjustable member or members connected with the elevating mechanism, so that in the act of bringing the adjustable member or members to position corresponding to the observed angle at the distant station the gun will be automatically sighted upon the target.

3. The combination with elevating mechanism for a gun,of a horizontal-base range-finder having two coordi nately-operating arms or devices, one adapted to be set according to the traverse of the gun in azimuth, and the other to be set or adjusted according to the transmitted horizontal angle sent from another 0bserving-station, and operating devices connected with said arms or devices at the point of intersection and with the elevating mechanism, as and for the purpose described.

4. The combination with a gun, of an elevating mechanism having a transmitting cam or screw plotted or calibrated according to the variable elevation required for different ranges, and a horizontal-base range-finder whose coordinately-operating parts are connected with the elevating mechanism of the gun.

5. An automatic sighting apparatus for guns comprising an azimuth indicator or seetor whose base-line corresponds to a base-line connecting the gun and observing-station,and mechanism for elevating the gun connected with the azimuth indicator, and having a transmission-gear plotted according to the elevation required for difierent ranges.

relation of the sector base-line to the line of orientation during the swinging of the gun in azimuth.

8. The combination with a gun, of a horizontal-base range-finder having its base-line portion pivotally mounted with relation to the gun-carriage, means for traversing the gun, and intermediate mechanism for turning the base-line portion of the range-finder so 'as to maintain the position of said line with relation to the line of'orientation. 9. The combination substantially as de scribed with a gun, of ahorizontal-base rangefinder having two coordinately operating arms or devices, one adapted to be set as (lo-r sired. according to the, azimuth of the target at the gun-station, and the other to be set or adjusted according to the transmitted horizontal angle sent from another observing-station, and mechanism connecting the shiftable point of intersection of said arms with the elevating devices for the gun.

10. The combination with a gun, of an elevating mechanism provided at some point in its transmission-gear with a transmission-cam calibrated or plotted with reference to the variable elevation required for different ranges.

11. The combination with a gun and its elevating mechanism, of interchangeable transmission-gears plotted or calibrated with reference to varying muzzle velocities of projectiles to be discharged by the gun.

12. The combination with a gun, of a horizontal-base range-finder having parts adapted to represent in miniature the elements of a triangle whose base is the line between the gun-station and an observing-station, and whose sides are respectively lines joining the gun and the distant observing-station with the target, and means for automatically shifting the base-line portion of the instrument when the gun is turned in traverse.

13. The combination with a gun, of a horizontal-base range-finder having parts adapted to represent in miniature the elements of a triangle whose base is the line between the gun-station and an observing-station, and whose sides are respectively lines joining the gun andthe distant observing-station with the target, and means for automatically setting the parts to angular position corresponding to the angle between the base-line and the line joining the gun and target when the gun is traversed to direct it upon the target.

14. The combination witha gun, of a horizontal-base range-finder having two adjustable angle-measuring arms or members adj ustable with reference to a commonbase-line representing the base between a distant observing-station and the gun, means for automatically adjusting one of said arms with reference to the base-linein traversing the gun, and means for automatically adjusting the other arm in the act of changing the eleva tion of the gun.

15. The combination with a gun, of a horizontal-base range-finder mounted on the guncarriage and comprising two adjustable angle-measuring armsor members adapted to be adjusted with'reference to a common baseline representing the base between the gun and a distant observing-station, means for automatically adjusting one of said members in the operation of traversing the gun, and means for adjusting the other member according to the azimuth angle transmitted from the distant station.

Signed at South Bethlehem, in the county of Northampton and State of Pennsylvania, this 9th day of October, A. D. 1901.

ISAAC N. LEWIS.

Witnesses: J. F. ll/IEIGS, 1

G. H; POWELL. 

